Mayoral aide Anthony Roberts (in white suit) and Trenton Mayor Tony Mack exit the Catholic War Veterans hall on Grand Street in the city the evening of June 27, 2013. Despite not having officially declared his candidacy in the 2014 election, Mack hosted what appeared to be an election fundraiser. Alex Zdan/ The Times of Trenton

TRENTON — The tables were set up, the guests were mingling and the drinks were flowing.

Inside the Catholic War Veterans hall on Grand Street last evening about 40 people, many of them city employees, stood well-dressed for a function that looked like just about any other political event.

By all appearances, including the presence of the man himself before he left minutes earlier, this was a fundraiser for Trenton Mayor Tony Mack.

Despite a federal indictment and a January corruption trial that could oust Mack from office even before any votes are cast, the first-term mayor is giving the impression he’s running for a second.

“If you look at what we’ve done, we’ll be re-elected overwhelmingly,” Mack said in April, placing the emphasis on the last word.

There’s been no official announcement from the mayor, but one year and three days before his term in office ends, and nearly 11 months before any ballots are being cast, last night’s apparent fundraiser brings Mack into the ring along with five other declared candidates.

Though there was a $40 cover charge, the event was described as the “Tony Mack Social” on invitations, according to a person who was invited but declined to be named. The social was to take place at the Flamingo Lounge on Anderson Street but was moved to the Catholic War Veterans hall at the last minute, the invitee said.

Mack’s campaign war chest for a 2014 race remains unknown. The mayor has not filed his required quarterly campaign finance report since April 2012, at which point he had $22,973.13 in his account. Money left over from the 2010 election has been steadily depleted by Mack, mostly on meals, gas and suits.

Mack declined to make any comment while leaving the fundraiser alongside his aide Anthony Roberts about 6:45 p.m.

The mayor greeted a small group of enthusiastic neighborhood women who loudly expressed they were happy to see him.

Before that point, attendees walking in included John Seigle, who is confidential secretary to Business Administrator Sam Hutchinson, and Trenton Water Works laborer Rodney Washington, sporting a tailored suit, bow tie and boutonniere.

Public Property Director Harold Hall drove up as Mack was leaving, but the two did not make any contact with each other.

“I’m not talking to him,” Hall yelled to a reporter across Grand Street, upset about a December news article that stated the two men had been speaking.

With Hall’s name appearing on a tentative witness list in the federal corruption case, Mack is not allowed to contact Hall.

Hall led the reporter through the double doors and into the ballroom, where Trenton Babe Ruth League President George Bleistein was manning the door. Washington was at the bar, and terminated park ranger Robert “Chico” Mendez was seated at a table. Other guests ate and drank amid wood-paneled walls. Hall then ushered the reporter out.

“I didn’t know they didn’t want you here,” he explained.

With a long campaign ahead, it remains to be seen whether Mack himself will be the defining issue of the upcoming election.

Yet his fate will likely shape the field. An acquittal after an estimated six weeks on trial would give him momentum heading into the first round of voting in May, while a conviction would bar him from competing at all.

Former city Public Works Director Eric Jackson, businessman Patrick Hall, Mercer County Deputy Clerk Walker Worthy, former Police Director James Golden, and consultant Paul Perez have already declared their candidacy. Many have started fundraising already.

Outside of yesterday’s Mack social, at least one city businessman said he’s been approached for a campaign donation.

Mark Byers, owner of Byer’s Men’s Shop in downtown Trenton, said he received a phone call last week from Washington, a Mack confidant, inviting him to the fundraiser.

“‘Tony would like you to come to his party,’” Byers said Washington told him.

Byers donated to Mack’s campaign in 2010, but said he and Washington did not even get to discuss a new donation amount last week.

“We didn’t get there because I cut to the chase and said, ‘I can’t,’” said Byers, who told Washington he refused to support a mayor under indictment.

“‘Well, maybe Tony would like to talk to you,’” Byers said Washington, a frequent customer at his store, added.

Byers again turned Washington down, he said yesterday.

While the downtown remains safe, Byers said Trenton needs a mayor focused on bringing back police to control out-of-control crime. Mack, whom Byers barely sees around the city, has disappointed his former supporter.

“He could be stepping up to the plate a lot more,” Byers said.
Contact Alex Zdan at azdan@njtimes.com or (609) 989-5705.